to the proud and deeply damaging to the proud and well respected system ofjustice in scotland and it leaves it into disrepute and open ridicule. it is taken by the decision of the crown to establish that it is an absolute that could possibly lead to a breach of lady dorian's order... we believe that, please turn to the website for scotland and holyrood, here is rishi sunak with more on the budget. i'm speaking to you now directly to explain what this budget means for our economy and for you at home. i want to be honest with you about the problems we face and our plan to fix them. this time last year, we all

began a collective national effort to constrain coronavirus, shield the vulnerable and protectjobs and businesses. since then, the government has announced more than £280 billion to protect pupils lives and livelihoods. 0ur £280 billion to protect pupils lives and livelihoods. our plan is working. the independent 0ffice and livelihoods. our plan is working. the independent office for budget responsibility has today shown that because of interventions like the furlough, the economy is now expected to recover more quickly and fewerjobs will be lost but we still face significant challenges. people are being told to stay at home. businesses are still closed. it's going to take us a long time to fully recover from the damage coronavirus has done to our economy.

today's budget is a three—part plan to protect the jobs and livelihoods of the british people. the first part is this. we are going to keep economic support in place until well past the point we exit to the furlough scheme, support for the self—employed, business grants, business rate holidays, tax cuts and the temporary universal credit uplift have all been extended, and generously. taken together, this year and next, we are spending £407 billion to support people and businesses through coronavirus. i said whatever it takes. and that means for however long it takes. but that unprecedented level of support, combined with the damage coronavirus

has done, places a huge strain on our public finances. simply put, we have to get borrowing and debt back under control. so, the second part of today's budget begins fixing that. now, some people think we should ignore this problem or worse there are some who think there is no problem at all. but i think that is wrong. if we don't act once the economy has recovered to control our borrowing, we won't be able to fund the stronger public services people want to see. and when the next crisis comes along, we won't be able to respond with the boldness we have this time. so, i want to be honest with you now, today, about how we will begin fixing the public finances. the choice i've made is as much as i can to protect working

people, small businesses, and public services. and, so, while i have chosen to freeze personal tax thresholds, some of the most generous in the world, i won't increase the rates of income tax, national insurance, or vat, and i won't find the money we need by taking it from public services, like schools or the nhs. freezing tax thresholds is fair. asking more of those on higher incomes. and we will ask large businesses who have made a profit to contribute as well. two years from now, well past our recovery, in 2023, corporation tax on company profits will increase to 25%. the united kingdom will still

have a lower corporate tax rate than the united states, japan, canada, france, italy and germany. and we are protecting small businesses by keeping their corporation tax at the current rate of i9%. this means seven in ten businesses will see no tax increase at all. 0nly seven in ten businesses will see no tax increase at all. only the largest, most successful companies will pay the new, higher rates, and they can now plan with certainty. i know the british people don't like tax rises. nor do i. but i also know they dislike dishonesty even more. that's why i've been honest with you about the problem we have and our plan to fix it. so, right now, we are going along, extending our support for people and businesses well beyond the end of lockdown.

and, while it is important to control borrowing and debt, those measures only take effect after the economy has recovered. but today's budget isn'tjust economy has recovered. but today's budget isn't just about fixing problems. today's budget is also about laying the foundations of our future economy. we are building our future economy. we are building our future economy. we are building our future economy by doing things that have not been done before, and doing them for everyone everywhere. 0ur them for everyone everywhere. our success with the vaccine has shown us this country can be a scientific superpower, leading the world through the coming technological and scientific revolutions, towards a future where growth and jobs go hand in hand with tackling climate change, where we are known around the world as the best place to invest and do business, and where we redraw the economic map with decent jobs in every corner of our country.

to do that, this budget is helping people develop new skills, start an apprenticeship, and get better paid jobs. this budget is helping small business owners get the training, skills and technology they need to compete with bigger firms and become the high—growth companies of the future. and this budget is bringing prosperity to the whole united kingdom, with new free ports around the country, and the largest pro—investment tax cut in modern british history. making the time to invest right now and the place to invest right now and the place to invest right now and the place to invest right here. so, that is our budget, our plan, our numbers. back to the number that in so many ways defines the last 12 months is not included in the's budget document. i want to finish my remarks by

acknowledging all those who have lost their lives to coronavirus. to the family and friends left behind. your loss felt most acutely in the quietest of moments must be overwhelming. but i promise you, we will meet this moment with the passion and energy demands, and we will build a fairer, and just country in their memory. 0ur recovery begins today. thank you. i think we have some questions from both public and journalists so let's turn to the first question. chancellor, how will the new budget ensure _ chancellor, how will the new budget ensure that leaseholders are not burdened — ensure that leaseholders are not burdened with unfair costs associated with cladding and other historical— associated with cladding and other historical building defects? thank

ou for historical building defects? thank you fervour— historical building defects? thank you for your question. _ historical building defects? thank you for your question. with - you for your question. with regard... i wonder if you are particularly impacted by this, in which case, i'm sorry because i know it has been enormously frustrating and worrying. we took action a little while ago and made some announcements to help people who are dealing with unsafe cladding on their buildings. i became chancellor one year ago and i announced £1 billion last year and a few weeks ago the government announced an additional £3.5 billion bringing the total we will spend two £5 billion total we will spend two £5 billion to help remediate unsafe cladding from buildings over 18 metres, which are the most unsafe, and that workers already under way and we are getting on with that at pace. we know there are people in other buildings who might also want to have remediation work done so what we're doing therefore those smaller buildings is providing a government backed loan scheme providing low—cost government backed loans to

people which will be capped at no more than £50 a month which will help provide funds to deal with those buildings and can also, we know there have been some problems with the mortgage market, people asking for a particular form so we are working very hard. the housing secretary, prime minister and i, we are working hard to make sure the forms that have been causing the issue, the use of them is going to be proportionate and we hope that will help unblock the market together with a government insurance scheme we are providing for people who do those assessments i think the combination of £5 million of funding to remediate the most unsafe buildings, a cheap government loan to help with the rest, and these interactions, interventions on the mortgage market, when you put that together, hopefully they will make an enormous difference and provide reassurance to people through what i know has been a difficult process. so, next, if we could go, please.

hello, chancellor. what would you say to _ hello, chancellor. what would you say to the — hello, chancellor. what would you say to the million or so people that will enter— say to the million or so people that will enter the income tax system, the million — will enter the income tax system, the million also people that will end up— the million also people that will end up in— the million also people that will end up in the higher rates, and when you put— end up in the higher rates, and when you put that — end up in the higher rates, and when you put that together with the rise in corporation tax, this is a turning _ in corporation tax, this is a turning around of conservative principles, as the pandemic fundamentally change the conservative approach to big business, big borrowing, big taxation— business, big borrowing, big taxation and big spending? thanks. well, hopefully. — taxation and big spending? thanks. well, hopefully, both _ taxation and big spending? thanks. well, hopefully, both in _ taxation and big spending? thanks. well, hopefully, both in the - taxation and big spending? thanks. | well, hopefully, both in the remarks i made earlier and well, hopefully, both in the remarks i made earlierand in well, hopefully, both in the remarks i made earlier and in the house of commons, people will have understood the logic of what i'm trying to do. the pandemic has dealt us pretty bad damage to the public finances and the economy and i think i and the government have a responsibility to put those back in a strong position over time but do it in a way that is supportive of our economic recovery in the short term but also do so in

a way that is fair and i think both of the measures we've implemented, once you have mentioned, have passed the test. those on the lowest incomes contribute much less than those on higher incomes. it is something that only builds over time something that only builds over time so it is supportive of the recovery. importantly, nobody�*s current importa ntly, nobody�*s current take—home importantly, nobody�*s current take—home pay will be affected as a result of this policy. what this policy does is that in the future can benefit that might have come from thresholds rising from inflation won't be there and that is what will help us rebuild our public finances in a fair and honest way which has been supported by several think tanks and others who said it is a sensible thing to do. in regard to corporation tax, we remain a party and a government that believes in supporting business which is why our corporation tax, even after this change, will still be the most out of the g7 large economies that we compete with so that is something we

will be proud to do and make sure we support business in that way but also crucially we will be exempting the vast majority of businesses, small and medium—sized businesses, from that increase because we want those with the big shoulders, the largest, most profitable companies, to make the contribution in two years time. also there are lots of other things on today's budget which are supportive of business, whether thatis are supportive of business, whether that is short—term support with business rates holidays, vat cuts, cash grants, but also new help to grow management and digital incentives because we want to help small and medium—sized businesses to get management training, and help them get the digital technology they need to compete in the future economy so when you put it altogether those are the actions of altogether those are the actions of a government that firmly believes in supporting business both in the short term and also in the long term. the last thing i'd say, because i think it is important, we want businesses to invest. investment can help drive our

economy and today i announced something called the super deduction which is a tax cut for business investment, the likes of which we haven't seen before in this country, and it'll really support businesses to invest now over the next two years to help drive our recovery. i think it'll make huge difference. next? hello there, can you hear me 0k? next? hello there, can you hear me ok? i hello there, can you hear me ok? i can, hello there, can you hear me 0k? can, fire hello there, can you hear me ok? i can, fire away. i hello there, can you hear me ok? i can, fire away. i want _ hello there, can you hear me ok? i can, fire away. i want to _ hello there, can you hear me ok? i can, fire away. i want to pick - hello there, can you hear me ok? i can, fire away. i want to pick up - hello there, can you hear me ok? i can, fire away. i want to pick up on | can, fire away. i want to pick up on corporation — can, fire away. i want to pick up on corporation tax. _ can, fire away. i want to pick up on corporation tax. the _ can, fire away. i want to pick up on corporation tax. the corporation i can, fire away. i want to pick up on | corporation tax. the corporation tax increase _ corporation tax. the corporation tax increase is — corporation tax. the corporation tax increase is enormous, a six point jump— increase is enormous, a six point jump overnight in two years time. the confederation of british industry— the confederation of british industry describes it as a worrying signal _ industry describes it as a worrying signal this — industry describes it as a worrying signal. this feels like a gamble, especially now brexit is done. you say you _ especially now brexit is done. you say you want more businesses to invest— say you want more businesses to invest in— say you want more businesses to invest in the uk. is there a danger that this _ invest in the uk. is there a danger that this will achieve the opposite? ithink— that this will achieve the opposite? i think the — that this will achieve the opposite? i think the cbi also said lots of other positive comments about the

budget today which people can read. you talk about corporation tax rate. he talked about international competitiveness and the signal it sends but we will still have a lower corporation tax rate than any of our major g7 competitors so, america, canada, france, germany, italy, for example. that puts us in good stead internationally. if you broaden it out to another group called the g20, with the 20 largest economies, we would still have the fifth lowest rate in that group so on any measure it is still an internationally competitive rate signalling that britain is open for business and supportive of business. as i was saying to faisal islam, the super deduction, the tax cut for business over the next two years to support the economy,, to drive up investment in new factories and machines across the country, that is an enormous tax cut for business, the biggest business tax cut i think we have ever seen in british history as far

as we can calculate which shows we are on the side of business and they can help play their part in the economy but i also think it is reasonable, given the amount of support we have given business, given the crisis we face with the public finances, it is reasonable to ask those largest, most successful companies in two years time to contribute something back to help us rebuild. that is a reasonable and fair approach which will support us in the long term but it is reasonable in the long term as well. i think next... ed? reasonable in the long term as well. | think next... ed?— ithink next... ed? hello, chancellor. _ ithink next... ed? hello, chancellor. behind - ithink next... ed? hello, chancellor. behind me, l ithink next... ed? hello,| chancellor. behind me, we i think next... ed? hello, - chancellor. behind me, we have a chart— chancellor. behind me, we have a chart we _ chancellor. behind me, we have a chart we have been looking at a lot today— chart we have been looking at a lot today at _ chart we have been looking at a lot today at sky news showing you tax as a percentage of the gdp, the tax lrurden_ a percentage of the gdp, the tax burden in— a percentage of the gdp, the tax burden in the uk. my question is, looking _ burden in the uk. my question is, looking at— burden in the uk. my question is, looking at this chart, and looking at how— looking at this chart, and looking at how high the tax burden is getting — at how high the tax burden is

getting towards the end of the forecast — getting towards the end of the forecast horizon, are you concerned about _ forecast horizon, are you concerned about being — forecast horizon, are you concerned about being the chancellor with the highest _ about being the chancellor with the highest tax burden of any chancellor going _ highest tax burden of any chancellor going all— highest tax burden of any chancellor going all the way back to the 1960s and roy— going all the way back to the 1960s and royjenkins? does it concern you at all? _ and royjenkins? does it concern you at all? |_ and roy jenkins? does it concern you at all? , , ., . ., and roy jenkins? does it concern you at all? ,, ., . ., ., , at all? i guess what the chart does not shows all _ at all? i guess what the chart does not shows all the _ at all? i guess what the chart does not shows all the other _ at all? i guess what the chart does j not shows all the other chancellors if any of them have had pandemics to deal with. we haven't had a pandemic like this in over 100 years. that is why we are having this conversation, thatis why we are having this conversation, that is the problem we are grappling with and unsurprisingly when you have had a shock like that and a response in the likes of which we have done, none of those chancellors have done, none of those chancellors have ever had to do as much fiscal support for the country as i have had to. it is reasonable to expect what we have to do in response to those things is going to have to be different to what has happened in the past. what i would say is what are we doing with those taxes? what we are doing is funding strong public services, people elected us because we told them we were the party of public services, we would

invest in schools, the nhs and we would invest in projects across the country to level up opportunity which is what we want to deliver during this parliament and we also want to be responsible with public finances for the reasons i set out and it is because of those reasons i have taken the two decisions i've made today, and i believe they are the right decisions for the country, and for the economy. next? ,., ., ., ., ., and for the economy. next? ., ., . ., next? good afternoon, chancellor. the obr points _ next? good afternoon, chancellor. the obr points out _ next? good afternoon, chancellor. the obr points out that _ next? good afternoon, chancellor. the obr points out that in - next? good afternoon, chancellor. the obr points out that in your - the 0br points out that in your calculations there is no provision for virus —related costs beyond next year _ for virus —related costs beyond next year. despite the fact the government acknowledges that there will be _ government acknowledges that there will be an— government acknowledges that there will be an annual vaccination programme with further costs associated with test and trace, as well as— associated with test and trace, as well as of— associated with test and trace, as well as of course the nhs increased cost because of cancelled operations and procedures. you've made a lot about—

and procedures. you've made a lot about wanting to be honest with people — about wanting to be honest with people today. do you think it is your— people today. do you think it is your honestjudgment people today. do you think it is your honest judgment today that the pandemic— your honest judgment today that the pandemic will cost nothing from next year? _ pandemic will cost nothing from next ear? ~ ., , , . ,, pandemic will cost nothing from next ear? ., , year? well, on public spending, you are riaht year? well, on public spending, you are right to — year? well, on public spending, you are right to differentiate _ year? well, on public spending, you are right to differentiate between i are right to differentiate between the general plans we have which i can go through and then plans for coronavirus, and it's right to think about them differently. at this moment we won't know exactly the future path of what is going to happen but what we do know is that this year there is an enormous amount of call for extra funding for coronavirus which is why today i announce £1.6 billion of extra funding for example for the vaccination programme to make sure we can get all the resources we need to happen as quickly as possible, provide for potential booster shots but also to improve our preparedness for future but also to improve our preparedness forfuture pandemics are but also to improve our preparedness for future pandemics are some of the things we are doing is to build our capacity to react quickly in the future. i don't have a crystal ball

about next year but we are thinking about next year but we are thinking about the next 12 months and what is required. you talked about nhs backlog. in the spending review in november we announce billions of pounds of funding for the nhs both for diagnostic equipment, to upgrade some of the older diagnostic equipment, and to provide more for the nhs to do more elective surgery to start catching up on the backlog we know exists. to a broader question about public services and spending, the numbers i set out today show there will be strong growth and investment in public services, notjust over two years but for the remainder of the parliament as well. next?— parliament as well. next? ., ., . ., g , ., next? thank you, chancellor. just a reaction to — next? thank you, chancellor. just a reaction to two _ next? thank you, chancellor. just a reaction to two points. _ next? thank you, chancellor. just a reaction to two points. scotland - reaction to two points. scotland claims — reaction to two points. scotland claims you've not met their ambition for supporting economic recovery and 'obs. for supporting economic recovery and jobs she _ for supporting economic recovery and jobs. she especially disappointed you didn't make the uplift universal credit— you didn't make the uplift universal credit permanent. your reaction to that _ credit permanent. your reaction to that. secondly a business minister suggested in an interview yesterday

when it— suggested in an interview yesterday when it came to an independence referendum it was up to the scottish people _ referendum it was up to the scottish people to _ referendum it was up to the scottish people to decide when and whether they want— people to decide when and whether they want one. do you agree with him? _ they want one. do you agree with him? is— they want one. do you agree with him? is the — they want one. do you agree with him? is the treasury planning some change _ him? is the treasury planning some change of— him? is the treasury planning some change of strategy here? catherine, i uenuinel change of strategy here? catherine, i genuinely believe _ change of strategy here? catherine, i genuinely believe i _ change of strategy here? catherine, i genuinely believe i don't _ change of strategy here? catherine, i genuinely believe i don't think - i genuinely believe i don't think people want us focusing on constitutional questions but on our response to the pandemic, making sure we get the vaccine rolled out as quickly as we can into as many peoples arms as possible and with that, with the prime minister's road—mac, reopen our economy and try to protect as manyjobs as possible. i think that is what people want us to focus on which is what we are getting on and doing. with the regard to the universal credit uplift, we are extending it for six months, this is something we put in place temporarily at the beginning of the pandemic in lockdown and the six months extension means it'll be in place well beyond the end of this current lockdown, and only forms one

part of our response to helping those on low incomes or those who are vulnerable and there's lots of other things we are doing, helping people with their council tax bills, with their rental payments, through something called local housing allowance. crucially, the best way to help people over time is to give them the skills they need to get rate drops or betterjobs, which is why we have increased the national living wage next year above inflation which means a £350 pay rise for those in low incomes. with the prime minister's lifetime schools guarantee giving every adult the opportunity to get a government funded qualification at a good standard which will help them increase their prospects of getting a job, a new increase their prospects of getting ajob, a newjob, and lots of increase their prospects of getting a job, a newjob, and lots of other things to encourage people to hire people, for example our kick—start scheme for young people or the £3000 helping companies to take on a new apprentice. there's lots of different ways to help people. the figures and facts in the document show those on the lowest incomes have been supported the most by all

the interventions we've put in place over the last 12 months so i am proud of that. it is this government acting to protect those who need our help. as the economy reopens it is right we transition our support, focusing on people, getting them into work and with the skills they need which is what this budget delivers. next? we are going over to the times? ., ., . ., times? hello, chancellor. on corporation — times? hello, chancellor. on corporation tax, _ times? hello, chancellor. on corporation tax, you - times? hello, chancellor. on corporation tax, you are - times? hello, chancellor. on i corporation tax, you are undoing times? hello, chancellor. on - corporation tax, you are undoing ten years— corporation tax, you are undoing ten years of— corporation tax, you are undoing ten years of tax— corporation tax, you are undoing ten years of tax policy by raising corporation tax to 25% in 2023 and you are _ corporation tax to 25% in 2023 and you are reintroducing a small business _ you are reintroducing a small business tax sol you are reintroducing a small business tax so i was just wondering was the _ business tax so i was just wondering was the previous policy wrong? and, also, _ was the previous policy wrong? and, also, what _ was the previous policy wrong? and, also, what gives you confidence your tax rises _ also, what gives you confidence your tax rises will — also, what gives you confidence your tax rises will not choke off the recovery— tax rises will not choke off the recovery in 2023? there is still spare _ recovery in 2023? there is still spare capacity under the 0br's forecast, — spare capacity under the 0br's forecast, right at the end of the

forecast — forecast, right at the end of the forecast period, so it looks like there _ forecast period, so it looks like there is— forecast period, so it looks like there is more to go for in terms of growth _ there is more to go for in terms of urowth. ., , �* growth. thanks, phil. it isn't right to 'udue growth. thanks, phil. it isn't right to judge decisions _ growth. thanks, phil. it isn't right to judge decisions made - growth. thanks, phil. it isn't right to judge decisions made over- growth. thanks, phil. it isn't right to judge decisions made over thel tojudge decisions made over the last ten years by the fact today we are dealing with the result of hopefully a once in a century pandemic that we are grappling with. decisions in the past were right for then and we are making the right decisions for now. with corporation tax, overtime decisions for now. with corporation tax, over time what has transpired is it might not be the most effective way to drive capital investment up, which is what we want to see because we want businesses to invest, createjobs in new machinery, driver productivity, and we think our super deduction will do a betterjob of that over the next two years. and i think we will hopefully see the results of that. with regards to your second question, we need to be sensitive about the timing of this to make sure we support the recovery in the short—term. the super deduction does that. the corporation tax increase doesn't come two years which is past the point the 0br expect our gdp to

have recovered its precrisis level which actually is next year in the second quarter. the bank of england think it'll happen earlier than that, even. your point on spare capacity, you will know that is a notoriously difficult thing for economists to estimate with any precision but even with the 0br's forecast, the bulk of the gap is closed over the next 12—18 months and whatever is left is 0.1%, from memory but, broadly, we can safely believe the economy will have recovered and that is a safe time for the increase to happen. but in the proportionate way that is, not affecting small businesses. and corporation tax is a tax on profit so by definition it is only those companies that are doing well and making profits that pay it. next? we are going over to the ft. george?

next? we are going over to the ft. georue? ., ., next? we are going over to the ft. georue? ., ~' ,, next? we are going over to the ft. georue? ., ,, ,, ., . ., ., george? thank you, chancellor. can i ask ou george? thank you, chancellor. can i ask you about — george? thank you, chancellor. can i ask you about the _ george? thank you, chancellor. can i ask you about the levelling _ george? thank you, chancellor. can i ask you about the levelling up - ask you about the levelling up programme. the £1 billion town is fun to _ programme. the £1 billion town is fun to pronounce. 40 of the 45 towns on the _ fun to pronounce. 40 of the 45 towns on the list _ fun to pronounce. 40 of the 45 towns on the list are represented by conservative mps. we are looking at the levelling up fund. your constituency, richmond, is in priority— constituency, richmond, is in priority area one wears places like barnsley. — priority area one wears places like barnsley, bolsover, salford, they are in— barnsley, bolsover, salford, they are in priority to make. can you give _ are in priority to make. can you give us — are in priority to make. can you give us reassurance you are using fair criteria — give us reassurance you are using fair criteria to assess the eligibility of these areas when this looks— eligibility of these areas when this looks a _ eligibility of these areas when this looks a bit like politics? the formula for— looks a bit like politics? the formula for the _ looks a bit like politics? lie: formula for the grant looks a bit like politics? tie: formula for the grant payments looks a bit like politics? ti9: formula for the grant payments for the new fund, to give capacity funding to bid for projects, is based on an index of economic need, which is a transparently published

report and available for everyone to see. those are areas that have received capacity funding to bid. no area is excluded from bidding but those areas on the basis of this form you might need some extra help so we are giving those local areas some money to put their bid together to help them. do your broader point, if you look at all the things you're doing, they are benefiting people in every corner of the country so for example we announce the location of our eight free ports in england today. they are spread in eight english regions, from southampton to teesside, to liverpool, across the country, and all of those areas are represented by a mix of both mps and local authorities. what we are interested in is making sure every you grow up and happen to live, this government is helping to provide opportunity for you and creating jobs in yourarea, opportunity for you and creating jobs in your area, and opportunity for you and creating jobs in yourarea, and ifirmly believe whether it is the levelling up believe whether it is the levelling up fund or our free believe whether it is the levelling up fund or ourfree ports initiative orany up fund or ourfree ports initiative or any of the other things we are doing we are delivering and making

good on that promise. next, we go to graham. from the daily mirror. next, we go to graham. from the daily mirror-— daily mirror. chancellor, good afternoon- — daily mirror. chancellor, good afternoon. are _ daily mirror. chancellor, good afternoon. are you _ daily mirror. chancellor, good afternoon. are you prepared i daily mirror. chancellor, goodl afternoon. are you prepared to extend — afternoon. are you prepared to extend the cut—off date for the renewed — extend the cut—off date for the renewed support you've announced today— renewed support you've announced today if, _ renewed support you've announced today if, while no one wants the timing _ today if, while no one wants the timing for— today if, while no one wants the timing for the road today if, while no one wants the timing forthe road map today if, while no one wants the timing for the road map to change? if i timing for the road map to change? if i may, _ timing for the road map to change? if i may, what you say to those who have _ if i may, what you say to those who have labelled it an insult that there — have labelled it an insult that there is— have labelled it an insult that there is no pay rise for the many thousands— there is no pay rise for the many thousands of public sector workers who have — thousands of public sector workers who have been on the front line during _ who have been on the front line during the — who have been on the front line during the pandemic? there has been no rise _ during the pandemic? there has been no rise announced by you today. graham, — no rise announced by you today. graham, to _ no rise announced by you today. graham, to your first point, what we have done very deliberately is extend all of our support well beyond the end of the road map, which the prime minister set out some dates in april, march, may and june. fellow is being extended all the way to september in line with

many other things. the reason we have taken that approach is, as i said in the house of commons today, because we want to make sure we've made allowance for even the most cautious possible interpretation of the road map and what might happen so we've done in advance to provide people with that certainty up front. i think we are well protected on that and i think that has been met broadly well today by stakeholders. to your second point on public sector pay, this was something that i addressed in the spending review backin i addressed in the spending review back in november when we talked about pay for the next year and back then what i said, which i'm happy to go over now, when i was looking at all the numbers, what we saw was in the private sector, wages were falling, people having their hours cut, many of them furloughed, and, sadly, almost three quarters of a million people had lost theirjobs. almost none of those things had happened in the public sector. so, given that, and given the very difficult fiscal situation we faced,

that we've been talking about, i thought for reasons of fairness and also to try to protect those public sector jobs, also to try to protect those public sectorjobs, it was reasonable to take a more targeted approach to public sector pay for this next year. what does it mean? those who work in the nhs,1 year. what does it mean? those who work in the nhs, 1 million people, about a quarter of people in the public sector, they will receive a pay rise next year and we are all very grateful to them for the fantastic work we are doing under difficult conditions. for everyone else there will be a pause on pay increases this year but that doesn't mean nothing. if your pay would have progression built into it, as many contracts do, that will still happen and that is worth about 1%. the extra protection we give for those in the public sector is if you earn less than £24,500, about the median salary of someone in the uk, your pay will also go up by a fixed £250 or 1%. pay will also go up by a fixed £250 or1%. if pay will also go up by a fixed £250 or 1%. if you take all of that together, what it means is a

majority of people in the public sector will see their pay increase next year. so, for the reasons i've set out, i think that is a fair and proportionate approach to public sector pay in these circumstances that we find ourselves in. lastly, i think we are going to ben from the daily telegraph. flan lastly, i think we are going to ben from the daily telegraph.- from the daily telegraph. can you hear me, chancellor? _ from the daily telegraph. can you hear me, chancellor? look - from the daily telegraph. can you hear me, chancellor? look out i from the daily telegraph. can you l hear me, chancellor? look out yes. fantastic _ hear me, chancellor? look out yes. fantastic can— hear me, chancellor? look out yes. fantastic. can you rule out an increase — fantastic. can you rule out an increase in— fantastic. can you rule out an increase in the rate of capital gains — increase in the rate of capital gains taxes parliament? secondly, early— gains taxes parliament? secondly, early data — gains taxes parliament? secondly, early data suggests the covid vaccine — early data suggests the covid vaccine is having a real positive impact — vaccine is having a real positive impact on — vaccine is having a real positive impact on the pandemic, quicker than the models _ impact on the pandemic, quicker than the models suggested. do you think we should _ the models suggested. do you think we should be open to possibly pulling — we should be open to possibly pulling forward some of the reopening road map dates if the data says it _ reopening road map dates if the data says it is _ reopening road map dates if the data says it is safe?— says it is safe? thanks, ben. people are probably — says it is safe? thanks, ben. people are probably tired _ says it is safe? thanks, ben. people are probably tired of _ says it is safe? thanks, ben. people are probably tired of hearing - says it is safe? thanks, ben. people are probably tired of hearing me i

says it is safe? thanks, ben. people are probably tired of hearing me say| are probably tired of hearing me say that if they have watched me on tv in the recent week but i obviously can't comment on fiscal policy other than the ones we are talking about in the budget, i can't answer your first question, we have made the decision to be have made on tax, as we said in the manifesto we did not want to raise the rates of income tax, national insurance and vat and we have stuck by that because that is important to me. regarding your second question, when the prime minister set out the road map he said we were trying to be cautious but irreversible and that is the right approach, the date we had set out were always the earliest of dates, that is the way they will remain, but it is a good note to finish on. just to say incredible congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in the vaccine roll—out, it has been something i think all of us in the country can feel hugely proud of, from the team that developed the vaccine in

oxford, professor sarah gilbert and 0xford, professor sarah gilbert and her team, all of the way to the volunteers getting it into people's arms and shepherding them to the vaccine centre is at an unbelievable rate, faster than almost any country in the world. what a success story, what a thing to be so proud of and what a thing to be so proud of and what a thing to be so proud of and what a great advert of what we could be in the future, as i talked about we could be a scientific superpower where we are developing new medicines and therapeutics, create new companies and jobs that spread that employment around the country and save lives in the process. i think it has shown what we are capable of as a country and we want to harness that countries looking forward and building a brighter future for the country as we emerge from the pandemic, and i'm very confident that the budget today set us on the road to doing exactly that. thank you, ben, and thank you very much, everyone. good evening.

chancellor rishi sunak ending the downing street briefing on the day he delivered the budget to the comment. interestingly, his very opening remarks at the beginning of the news conference, said he pledged to be honest with the public about the problems the country faces in the problems the country faces in the wake of the pandemic, the economic problems, he said it would take a long time to fully recover from the damage coronavirus has dented the economy. we will get reaction and lots of assessments in the next half—hour to everything rishi sunak has unveiled. let'sjust remind you of the key points of the budget, rishi sunak concerning the furlough scheme will be extended until september. a further 600,000 self—employed people will be eligible for help as access to grants is widened. the national living wage will be increased to £8.91 an hour from april. the universal credit top—up

of £20—per—week will continue for a further six months. the 5% reduced rate of vat for tourism and hospitality will be extended for six months to the end of september. the 100% business rates holiday in england will continue from april untiljune. and the chancellor has announced that he will raise corporation tax from 19% to 25% by 2023. corporation tax is for bigger businesses. people have been commenting that this is quite a big increase, jumping from the current 19%. 0ur political correspondent, iain watson, is in westminster. he has been following all of today's events and announcements. really interesting that the speaker of the comment has had a few things to say about the fact that we actually knew quite a few facts on this budget right in advance —— the speaker of

the commons. the speaker, lindsay hoyle, said he was disappointed that what should have been a great parliamentary occasion was undermined by leaks of the budget to newspaper reporters.— newspaper reporters. interestingly, i think it newspaper reporters. interestingly, i think it was _ newspaper reporters. interestingly, i think it was more _ newspaper reporters. interestingly, i think it was more than _ newspaper reporters. interestingly, i think it was more than leaks, i newspaper reporters. interestingly, i think it was more than leaks, theyj i think it was more than leaks, they were formal briefings from the treasury. we knew last night that furlough was to be extended until september, for example. it used to be the case that if chancellors were to leak any details of their budget in advance, it was seen as a resigning issue. covid has changed very many things, one of them seems to be having change that convention. from the speaker's point of view, he wanted proper scrutiny of the measures in parliament, he saw that as an important principle. some others including the labour opposition wanted reissuance a lot earlier for people on furlough and who perhaps are in receipt of the

temporary increase in universal credit, they want to do chancellor not to wait until the budget patel people earlier that that support would be extended until the autumn —— they wanted the chancellor not to wait until the budget but tell people earlier. the speaker thought the budget should be an to mps first, not to us as journalists, because he thinks in effect it is a way of the government using news management rather than being held directly accountable either peers in the house of commons. 0n the measures themselves, what we head up a press conference at the budget itself is a huge scale of support, full hundred billion pounds this year and more controversially had the chancellor will pay for some of that —— the chancellor will pay for some of that -- 400 the chancellor will pay for some of that —— 400 billion p. that will be from future tax increases. abs, that -- 400 billion p. that will be from future tax increases.- from future tax increases. a final thou . ht from future tax increases. a final thought about — from future tax increases. a final thought about the _ from future tax increases. a final thought about the politics, i

thought about the politics, particularly of the fact that the tax thresholds will be frozen. you might think there is no obvious immediate personal hike in tax but thatis immediate personal hike in tax but that is where it is coming? there will be an increase _ that is where it is coming? there will be an increase in _ that is where it is coming? there will be an increase in tax - that is where it is coming? there will be an increase in tax in i that is where it is coming? there | will be an increase in tax in effect further down the line, the chancellor spent a lot of time dependent much, saying it is not a stealth tax, he was telling as it is going to happen, but the last conservative manifesto said no increase in income tax rates all vat, so the chancellor managed to square a circle, raising money but saying the income tax rate is not going up but you may start paying income tax sooner. tax thresholds where you start paying tax will be increased next year, but they will be frozen for the following five years, they will not be operated with inflation, more people brought into higher tax brackets or paying income tax, more than a million people likely to be brought into the

higher rate. he will raise money from it and is sticking to the latter is not the spirit of the conservative manifesto. he had to justify his increases in corporation tax, the former brexit secretary david davies saying he should not do this at this stage, he should be putting all of his effort into growth, even the labour party did not want an immediate increase in corporation tax. it will happen a couple of years down the line, some conservatives were queasy about it but he said only the most profitable companies will pay the increased rate of 25% and it is still competitive with other major economies. competitive with other ma'or eonormesd competitive with other ma'or economies. . ., a economies. thank you, ian watson. as romised, economies. thank you, ian watson. as promised. let's — economies. thank you, ian watson. as promised, let's discuss _ economies. thank you, ian watson. as promised, let's discuss everything i promised, let's discuss everything rishi sunak outlined with our economic correspondence andy verity. what stands out for you? i economic correspondence andy verity. what stands out for you?— what stands out for you? i think it is the nature _ what stands out for you? i think it is the nature of _ what stands out for you? i think it is the nature of the _ what stands out for you? i think it is the nature of the gamble, i what stands out for you? i think it is the nature of the gamble, in i what stands out for you? i think it is the nature of the gamble, in a l is the nature of the gamble, in a way. what rishi sunak is doing is betting that by spending even more

than he has already spent now that he can stimulate the economy and you will get an economy on rocket fuel essentially over the next couple of years by virtue of the tax intensity has created to encourage companies to invest and also by the sheer amounts that government is spending, and then once the economy has a lot of momentum, that will be the time when the tax rises kick in and those frozen personal tax thresholds will bring more people into tax, or the corporation tax rate of 25% will kick in. you have a massive carrot and a massive stick for corporations, who might have been hesitant about whether to invest. this is tilting incentives massively in favour of investing, put in money now and you write off notjust that money but 30% more, whereas if you just try to take your profits and not do anything daring, you will be

hit with a 25% corporation tax in 2023, so if you want to invest, do it straightaway and you will be making the money back. it is what we have lacked in the last years, private investment has been weeks, one of the reasons we have had really poor productivity which is the main reason that living standards have not risen in wheelchairs very much over the past 12 years when we have tried to do austerity, so this is the conservatives moving away from the model of the last 12 years which said put the public finances first and the economy will follow, the public finance tail wagging the economic job, public finance tail wagging the economicjob, it is saying, let's do it the other way round. what economic job, it is saying, let's do it the other way round. what about those who had _ it the other way round. what about those who had said _ it the other way round. what about those who had said this _ it the other way round. what about those who had said this afternoon | those who had said this afternoon there was not as much in the budget as they might have expected about spending, there was not a lot of talk about health, fixing toast —— fixing social care, which has been such a big issue in the pandemic,

which we often get any budget? there is an in-built — which we often get any budget? there is an in-built traditional _ is an in—built traditional conservative view which says we will spend the money stimulating the economy but it will not be as making the choices about where to spend that, it will be the private sector who can allocate resources properly, we will 12 —— we will burn 12 billion p a year that way, encouraging them to invest, rather than what the government was taking it on itself to be spending the money on things like between recovery, there was not much about that in this budget. —— like the green recovery. and kick—starting the economy. those two things have not been a roaring success. we were in a similar situation, coming out of lockdown, looking to the future and trying to stimulate the economy but, to put it mildly, neither of the scheme has seen a big take—up. in the united states they are spending 8.9% of the economy, a vast amount, around two chilean dollars,

we are spending half at amounts, about 4.4%, and the opposition parties are saying is that enough to get it out of the hole we are in —— they are spending around $2 chilean in america. , ., :, in america. there is a degree of o timism in america. there is a degree of optimism around _ in america. there is a degree of optimism around the _ in america. there is a degree of optimism around the take-up i in america. there is a degree of optimism around the take-up of in america. there is a degree of i optimism around the take-up of the optimism around the take—up of the vaccine and so on, but god forbid another variant comes along all the eventually get increase in interest rates, variables could change a lot of the maps? the rates, variables could change a lot of the maps?— rates, variables could change a lot of the maps? the chair of the office for bud . et of the maps? the chair of the office for budget responsibility _ of the maps? the chair of the office for budget responsibility warned i for budget responsibility warned that a 1% increase in interest rates could trigger a £25 billion increase in servicing the debt, in which case he would not have had to spend on something else. there are issues about whether the forecasts are too optimistic, full percent growth this year, a bounce back effect, we are shrinking in the first quarter but it is assumed we will grow as a

vaccination programme takes hold, but there is 7% economic growth forecast for next year. that really is rocket field economic growth such as we very rarely see and it is optimistic that the government stimulus measures will have a massive effect on economic growth. we have been trundling along at about 2% or 3% if we are lucky in the last ten years, 7% is optimistic.— the last ten years, 7% is optimistic. the last ten years, 7% is otimistic. . ,, , :, , . optimistic. thank you very much indeed for _ optimistic. thank you very much indeed for now, _ optimistic. thank you very much indeed for now, andy _ optimistic. thank you very much indeed for now, andy verity. i let's get some reaction from labour. joining me now is the shadow work and pensions secretary, jonathan reynolds. he wanted an extension to universal credit, no immediate right to corporation tax, other things you are pleased with this afternoon? most of all i wanted a budget to get us back on the path to recovery, get

people back to work, and also recognised some of the longer term problems over the last ten years which have clearly made the impact of covid on the country much more severe. i am disappointed, of covid on the country much more severe. iam disappointed, i recognise what you are saying about furlough and universal credit, the furlough and universal credit, the furlough is about protecting jobs at other now, we have half a million people out of work in the uk, half of disabled people, so we needed more action and we did not get it. on universal credit, that decision 0n universal credit, that decision has been kicked six months down the line so we face the end of furlough and a reduction in universal credit at the same time, which is very worrying, unemployment at 6.5% is still around about 2.2 million. 0n the longer term aspect, really disappointing, almost no mention of the nhs, schools, teachers and the big educational challenges the

country has to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. i think overall the chancellor failed the test, it is not of the scale of ambition the country needs. but not of the scale of ambition the country needs.— not of the scale of ambition the country needs. but what would you have promised _ country needs. but what would you have promised in _ country needs. but what would you have promised in the _ country needs. but what would you have promised in the current i have promised in the current situation that rishi sunak did not? on that employment point i would guarantee every young person education, training or unemployment placing has been out of work for six months and allow time spent on furlough to count towards that. the long—term costs of youth unemployment stay with people and the country for decades after an unemployment crisis. we would use money already allocated for employment programmes for the big national nations, social care vacancies, the nhs, climate change, give people something meaningful to do. on the longer term challenges we had to recognise as a country that the levels of poverty and insecure work in the uk have made this pandemic so much worse and i do not

hear anything from the chancellor on even recognising these challenges. we should not be a country with the levels of dependency on food banks and the number of people facing insecure working conditions, we have to face up and there was nothing on that. in to face up and there was nothing on that. , :, :, , ., that. in terms of the town stunt and a levellin: that. in terms of the town stunt and a levelling up _ that. in terms of the town stunt and a levelling up agenda, _ that. in terms of the town stunt and a levelling up agenda, which - that. in terms of the town stunt and a levelling up agenda, which came l a levelling up agenda, which came across strongly in that news conference, you feel it is politically motivated? —— in terms of the towns funds. 40 out of 45 of those fares receiving help of a conservative mp. l those fares receiving help of a conservative mp.— those fares receiving help of a conservative mp. i represent five towns in my _ conservative mp. i represent five towns in my constituency, - conservative mp. i represent five towns in my constituency, we i conservative mp. i represent five j towns in my constituency, we are crying out for the kind of support that would allow us to change high streets, away from the total retail offer to something with more housing and level. if you look at the decisions across greater manchester where i live and represent, they have been inexplicable, there is no

logic to what the money goes other than for political ends. i find that disappointing. i government serious about levelling up with the council funding, looking at health inequalities and post—industrial areas, we seem to just get pots of money from the chancellor dependent on getting money to backbench conservative mps, on getting money to backbench conservative mp5, i on getting money to backbench conservative mps, ifind on getting money to backbench conservative mp5, i find that such a misuse of public money and we deserve better, thank you. jonathan re nolds, deserve better, thank you. jonathan reynolds. we _ deserve better, thank you. jonathan reynolds, we are _ deserve better, thank you. jonathan reynolds, we are tight _ deserve better, thank you. jonathan reynolds, we are tight for— deserve better, thank you. jonathan reynolds, we are tight for time i deserve better, thank you. jonathan reynolds, we are tight for time and| reynolds, we are tight for time and must leave it, thank you forjoining us. what do people think about the helpful businesses and self—employed people? phil mackie has been a daring and finding out that the helpful businesses. this is a suburban success story, its high street is full of small independents so was not affected when the big names close. confectioner cathy's business has even grown during the pandemic. the budget offers help at

self—reliance and reacting to the landscape is critical. lode self-reliance and reacting to the landscape is critical.— self-reliance and reacting to the landscape is critical. we are trying to ian landscape is critical. we are trying to [an for landscape is critical. we are trying to plan for the _ landscape is critical. we are trying to plan for the future _ landscape is critical. we are trying to plan for the future but - landscape is critical. we are trying to plan for the future but are i landscape is critical. we are trying to plan for the future but are not i to plan for the future but are not making plans that are too concrete because everything is so fluid, we had to be as adaptable as possible which, you know, ithink had to be as adaptable as possible which, you know, i think it's one of the reasons why smaller businesses are not doing so badly in those terms, they are able to pivot and change their business plans much easier than the larger companies because they had so many votes to go down. it because they had so many votes to go down. , :, , ., because they had so many votes to go down. , . , ~ , because they had so many votes to go down. , . , ,, , ., because they had so many votes to go down. , . , ~ , ., . down. it is a bit like being a medic at the end — down. it is a bit like being a medic at the end of— down. it is a bit like being a medic at the end of the _ down. it is a bit like being a medic at the end of the battle _ down. it is a bit like being a medic at the end of the battle for- down. it is a bit like being a medic at the end of the battle for the i at the end of the battle for the chancellor, he has to triage so many business wounds, so whether you are a brewery, operation or a cafe it is a brewery, operation or a cafe it is a crucial budget if you are a small business. at loaf they had kept going to the pandemic and with the chancellor's help. the bakery is doing well but the cookery school is closed, meaning half the staff are on furlough. the closed, meaning half the staff are on furlough-— on furlough. the plan was to continue _ on furlough. the plan was to continue using _ on furlough. the plan was to continue using it _ on furlough. the plan was to continue using it until- on furlough. the plan was to continue using it until the i on furlough. the plan was to i continue using it until the edge of this month and then reassess

according to the rates, the new variants and all the things we have to take into account. i am padded has been extended, it is a bit of breathing room for us. lats has been extended, it is a bit of breathing room for us.— has been extended, it is a bit of breathing room for us. lots of the new buzz and _ breathing room for us. lots of the new buzz and cafes _ breathing room for us. lots of the new buzz and cafes also _ breathing room for us. lots of the new buzz and cafes also knew- breathing room for us. lots of the | new buzz and cafes also knew that they do _ new buzz and cafes also knew that they do not have much reserves, we are hopeful— they do not have much reserves, we are hopeful they can keep going. this area — are hopeful they can keep going. this area has suffered from decades of decline but in recent years there has been a revival. attracted by cheaper rents and property prices, people and businesses are moving back. jordan ledson works, she did not qualify forfurlough back. jordan ledson works, she did not qualify for furlough but has adapted and or a p message today will help ahead of a vital period. mother's day is essential to my industry, every florist in the weekend is gearing up for their biggest weekend —— every florist in the country. we need reassurance that people are confident to spend, we need some good news that money will start flowing and people feel happy to get on the high street. the

budaet happy to get on the high street. the budget is as much about the message it gives us the detail it contains. they hope it is time to ease off the brakes and put a smile back on the faces of small business owners. let's get reaction from scotland's finance secretary, kate forbes. good evening. there were things you had wanted about the extension of universal credit, for example, are you pleased to see that at least? really pleased to see an extension of furlough, the self employment support scheme and the temporary extension of universal credit, but i would hope would become permanent because the six months will last only as long as villa lasts and we expect to see peak unemployment when the chancellor removes it. —— but only as long as furlough lasts. in scotland we have (inaudible)

for a full year, the chancellor has done it for three months, we have also gone further in support of households. we will take stop, look at our budget and see where we cancel further support struggling and businesses. [30 cancel further support struggling and businesses.— and businesses. do you feel you could do more? _ and businesses. do you feel you could do more? at _ and businesses. do you feel you could do more? at the - and businesses. do you feel you could do more? at the end i and businesses. do you feel you could do more? at the end of. and businesses. do you feel you | could do more? at the end of the da , we could do more? at the end of the day. we have _ could do more? at the end of the day, we have gone _ could do more? at the end of the day, we have gone further- could do more? at the end of the day, we have gone further than i could do more? at the end of the i day, we have gone further than the chancellor set out today, i am pleased by that. as you heard from the report, businesses are still in survival mode so extending the grant, and i understand from the announcement today that survival grants will come to an end in april, we had set out we will extend that for a number of additional months because businesses are still struggling even after they were allowed to be open, but because most of our funding comes from the allowed to be open, but because most of ourfunding comes from the uk government, not to my choice but because we do not have the fiscal

flexibility, we are dependent on that policy is understanding generated by them.- that policy is understanding generated by them. that policy is understanding aenerated b them. , ,, .,~ generated by them. rishi sunak said aaain generated by them. rishi sunak said again tonight — generated by them. rishi sunak said again tonight that _ generated by them. rishi sunak said again tonight that he _ generated by them. rishi sunak said again tonight that he is _ generated by them. rishi sunak said again tonight that he is adamant i generated by them. rishi sunak said again tonight that he is adamant he l again tonight that he is adamant he is being honest about the economic state the country is in, he does not want to downplay the seriousness of what everyone has gone to as a result of the pandemic. do you feel too that extended has been an honest budget? lode too that extended has been an honest buduet? ~ :, , :, , ., budget? we need to be honest that we are still in the — budget? we need to be honest that we are still in the throes _ budget? we need to be honest that we are still in the throes of— budget? we need to be honest that we are still in the throes of the _ are still in the throes of the pandemic and we need to be honest about what economic recovery will take. the two things i thought were absent from his statements were infrastructure investment, capital investment. 0ur capital budget was cut by 5% by the uk does not, we had set out a several year plan to reject confidence into the economy and ensure we see the strong, resilient, robust economic recovery. the other thing that was absent was

reference to public services. how often did he reference health, mental health and social? very little. we have set out our plans for the long—term reform of social care, health service will need additional funding to deal with health care that was on hold during the pandemic and ifear we health care that was on hold during the pandemic and i fear we will inevitably see storms of austerity on the horizon. it did not work ten years ago, it will not work this time. :, ., years ago, it will not work this time. :, ~' ,, , : years ago, it will not work this time. . ,, i. , . ., time. thank you very much, kate forbes. measures _ time. thank you very much, kate forbes. measures to _ time. thank you very much, kate forbes. measures to protect i time. thank you very much, kate forbes. measures to protect jobsj forbes. measures to protectjobs were at strands of the budget, let hereabouts what rishi sunak said. —— were a key strand. let hereabouts what rishi sunak said. -- were a key strand.— were a key strand. let me turn to the first part _ were a key strand. let me turn to the first part of — were a key strand. let me turn to the first part of this _ were a key strand. let me turn to the first part of this budget's i the first part of this budget's plan, to protect thejobs the first part of this budget's plan, to protect the jobs and livelihoods of the british people through the remaining phase of this crisis. first, the furlough scheme

will be extended until the end of september. for employees, no change to the terms. table continue to receive 80% of their salary for alice not worked until the scheme ends. as businesses reopen, we will ask them to contribute alongside the taxpayer to the cost of paying employees. nothing will change until july when we will ask for a small contribution ofjust10% and 20% in august and september. the government is proud of the furlough, one of the most generous schemes in the world, effectively protecting millions of people's jobs and incomes. effectively protecting millions of people'sjobs and incomes. second, support for the self—employed will also continue until september with a fourth grant covering the period february to april and a fifth and final grant from may onwards. the

fourth grant will provide three months of support at 80% of average trading profits. for the first glance, people will continue to receive grants worth three months of average profits with a system open for claims from late july. average profits with a system open for claims from latejuly. as the economy reopens over the summer, it is fair to target support towards those most affected by the pandemic. so people whose turnover has full them by 30% or more will continue to receive the full 80% grants. people whose turnover has fallen by less than 30% will therefore have less need for taxpayer support and will receive a 30% grants. need for taxpayer support and will receive a 3096 grants.— need for taxpayer support and will receive a 3096 grants. more on that cominu u- receive a 3096 grants. more on that coming up in _ receive a 3096 grants. more on that coming up in a _ receive a 3096 grants. more on that coming up in a moment— receive a 3096 grants. more on that coming up in a moment with i receive a 3096 grants. more on that| coming up in a moment with george alagiah on the six o'clock news. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. hello. this morning started on a misty and murky note with quite

a lot of low fog around. that's been lifting through the day, so a few brighter spells through the course of the afternoon, but some scattered showers too. and, over the next few days, we'll keep the rather cloudy but mostly dry theme to the weather. there will be a few isolated showers around. later this afternoon into the evening, most of the showers will be across parts of southern england, south wales too, drifting into east anglia as we head into tonight. some rumbles of thunder with some of those showers as well, and we will also see a few spots of light rain or perhaps some snow over the highest ground of northern scotland as well. but for most of us, it is frost free tonight with enough cloud around and, again, some mist and some fog. probably not quite as extensive as it was earlier on today. high pressure's still very much in charge of our weather. we have got a weak front pushing its way gradually south through tomorrow. so a little bit of light hill snow for the highest mountains of scotland and some very light patchy rain moving across northern england. mostly dry elsewhere and temperatures a little bit colder than they have been today. bye— bye.

today at six — a budget for the pandemic. more spending now, paying the bill comes later. rishi sunak says he will continue to protectjobs and livelihoods, but he wants to be honest about what it's costing us all. an important moment is upon us. a moment of challenge and of change, of difficulties, yes, but of possibilities, too. this is a budget that meets that moment. this is a budget that papered over the cracks rather than rebuilding the foundations. a budget which shows the government does not understand what went wrong in the last decade or what is needed in the next. the furlough scheme and grants for the self employed are extended,

and there's more help with business rates